Dissection of Green Laser Pointer

Here is the complete sequence of photos of the dissection of a 532 nm green
laser pointer. Since no green direct injection laser diodes are currently
available, these pointers are based on the use of Diode Pumped
Solid State Frequency Doubled (DPSSFD) laser technology. A high power IR
laser diode at 808 nm pumps a tiny block of Nd:YVO4
generating light at 1,064 nm which feeds a KTP intracavity frequency doubler
crystal to produce the green beam at 532 nm. See the Diode Lasers chapter of
Sam's Laser FAQ for more information on
DPSSFD lasers.

If all you are interested in is what's inside a much simpler red laser
pointer, go to the Assorted Diode Lasers
Gallery wing and check out the photos there.

I hope that the SPCL (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
to Lasers) doesn't hear about this. It would probably be a good idea to
have some tissues handy - some of the pics are quite gory. The pointer was
still alive at the beginning of this process and while no critical organs
were damaged by the abuse, it will never likely be quite the same even with
generous use of duct tape and baling wire. :)

(The following photos and descriptions provided courtesy of: Dave
(Ws407c@aol.com).)

I already owned one green laser pointer. I bought a 2nd one specificly to
take apart. I knew that there was a risk but I have been doing this for
years (taking things apart that were not supposed to be) and have become very
good at it. I don't care what anybody says, there ARE user serviceable parts
inside. :)

The entire dissection process was accomplished with the use of a file and
Dremel tool!

Then I thought why not share this information with other people and Sam's
Laser FAQ came to mind. The pointer that was dissected had been returned twice
due to (1) poor beam quality (2) low output. (Green lasers are just like any
cheap laser pointer - no two are alike. If you want a good one you need to
buy 10 and select the best from that.) It's hard to show the thin film
coatings that were not of total coverage on the crystals but I speculate that
the Nd:YVO4 was surplus from other purposes and used for these
pointers.

I like to SEE how things work and how they are manufactured and EVERYTHING
that I own, have owned, and will own, is destined to be opened and looked over.
It looks like a lot of money to risk but to me it was worth it and best of
all, as you will see, there was no damage to the critical components (though
the case might have seen better days). I will be on the hunt for a higher
power 808 nm laser diode to see if I can get more out of these components.

I don't know what it is about lasers but they will always be fascinating to
me!

View 38 - Order of components by function from left to right. Diode,
Nd:YVO4, KTP, OC, filter (there is an expanding lens hidden under
the filter inside the aluminum cylinder), collimator. The pin locates the three
items on the left and the three set screws adjust and hold the OC.

I have a 1/2" CCD TV camera (B&W) connected to a 9" monitor that I use for
invisible work. This setup works great for all kinds of stuff. Even with
safety goggles I don't feel safe looking at close range at these tiny parts
when they are active. So, with the camera shoved right up close to it, I can
adjust and sight the parts while they are ON with my face pressed right up to
the monitor screen and get a great view.

With the camera set up for macro, the image on the screen is better than
squinting at the parts directly. Once I got it working I grabbed my digital
camera and took the shot above. Notice how the digital camera picked up the
purple glow of the Nd:YVO4 crystal. If I shined the diode directly
on paper it was not purple. It's funny how the crystal glows purple as seen
by the digital camera.

Another interesting thing I have noticed about the green pointers is that
if you shine the beam on red felt or fluorescent orange paint the spot
urns bright yellow! Also when I shine a green pointer through a
ruby rod a green beam enters the rod then you see a bright RED beam inside
the rod gradually getting dimmer along the way through due to absorption and
green back out the other end. Maybe I'm tingling a few CR++ atoms?? Over the
years I've shined 632.8 nm light in the strangest of things and never have
seen the color change.